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Smaller aircraft 🛩Airport cancelations or delays?

Just curious… I know it’s high season now & I’m almost expecting the stats to be high. Just curious how accurate the reports are regarding the smaller carriers. Aegean, Voletea, Sky express???

I have a flight booked (Aegean) for 9/29, (ferry wasn’t an option) and opted to ferry 2 other destinations (Heraklion to Santorini & Santorini to Athens) bc I was too worried the flights would be delayed or canceled.

I know the CON was time… but 4 hrs on a ferry is better than a flight being completely canceled.

But if you have some feedback or want to convince me otherwise, please do state your comments.

I’m not sure about media abroad, but our media in the US seems to be advising we all avoid traveling by air in Europe. 😂. Due to the high cancelations & rebookings.

Posted by
211 posts

We flew sky express Athens to Santorini on 7/3. They posted a 15 minute delay and it was probably a little longer. I honestly wasn’t paying much attention as we were at the end of 28 hours of travel and I was shocked the other flights were all basically on time and we were in Greece. We plan to fly sky express Naxos back to Athens on 7/11. Flight one was good. I must say the stories people have been sharing about getting to Europe are not good. We are very thankful.

Posted by
149 posts

Northwestern thanks for taking the time during your holiday to give us a 🎙live update 😂

15 mins is not bad…I may have to rethink my ferry to Athens. Thanks.

Best of luck on 7/11!!!

Oh, May I also ask if the smaller carrier was strict on luggage weight? 😬that’s another reason why I was leaning more towards the ferry. I honestly didn’t want a hassle due to baggage being over the limit. I only travel with carry on and try to keep it light but their limit is ridiculous. Thanks

Posted by
1735 posts

I’m not sure about media abroad, but our media in the US seems to be
advising we all avoid traveling by air in Europe. 😂. Due to the high
cancelations & rebookings.

There is no need to worry about the possibility of problems with this or with that... These things are not predictable even 48 hours in advance. So even less 3 months in advance

This year there are flight cancellations or delays due to staff shortages or strikes. The size of the aircraft will not change anything, but there is no more risk of having a cancellation or delay with a flight than having the same problem with a ferry. For example in mid September 2019 there were 3 consecutive days without ferries in the Aegean Sea due to bad weather.

Posted by
6113 posts

Your post made me smile - Greek ferries are renowned for their strikes in the summer!

Travelling this year is unfortunately pot luck as to which is the better option.

Posted by
9462 posts

I’m not sure about media abroad, but our media in the US seems to be advising we all avoid traveling by air in Europe.

Media in France is basically doing the same. Airports are a huge mess this summer due to a significant lack of personnel in all areas. In addition in France, those who are working have already conducted and have already scheduled more strikes to protest working conditions and rémunération.

I am thrilled to be only taking trains this summer and not going anywhere by air.

Posted by
3115 posts

Some islands' airports, Naxos included, can only handle small planes, and if the wind is too strong they aren't allowed to depart. I was "grounded" for two nights in Athens in September 2019 because of high winds out in the Aegean sea preventing my flight from departing for Milos. We finally made it but flights later that same day could not land on Milos because the winds kicked up again.

Posted by
149 posts

Yikes I didn’t really think about the strikes for ferries 😬😂. I’ve been so focused on listening to the air updates.

Hopefully in October, the strikes will have ended. 🤞🏼

Thanks to all who replied!
Also good luck to the French individual who is opting to take the trains this summer!!! 🚊. When I was in France a few years back I heard horror stories of strikes there, but I was so lucky everything went smoothly transportation wise!!! Absolutely loved ❤️ your country. 🇫🇷

Posted by
1735 posts

You have to take things philosophically, especially in Greece where she was born. I was in the islands in September 2019, it was a real pleasure. No more boat sirens, no more plane noises, just the blowing of the wind.

Posted by
2462 posts

We had one ferry ride scheduled in 2018 and there was a strike. We had our flight this year from Irakio to Athens delayed by more than an hour. I would still take flying over ferry when possible.

You can’t carry on the flights going to and from the islands what you can internationally. It just won’t fit. I have just paid to check my bag, even when otherwise doing carry on.

Posted by
211 posts

Our second sky express flight on 7/11 was on time and all went well. We checked bags, they arrived and no problems. I wouldn't hesitate to fly again over the who knows how many hours on a ferry. Sky express was far cheaper than aegean for the athens to santorini flight and I am so glad I didn't waste my money. The only flight available on the day we needed for naxos to athens was sky express, we took a chance and it was great.

Posted by
149 posts

Northwestern I’m so happy to hear your vacation has been going smoothly as planned 🥳. Thanks for your update. Somehow those comments make me feel more relaxed for my upcoming trip.

I have a few small flights scheduled Aegean & Sky express 🤞🏼
I also have 1 ferry booked. I kinda wanted to experience all the different transpiration options. 😂

I’m traveling with someone who dreads going to the airport so it was a struggle just to book the 2 small bookings 😂

Have a safe journey home.

Posted by
1735 posts

Nova,

Again, don't worry too much about stories of delays, strikes, bad weather and other anecdotes.
In 99% of cases you will not have this kind of experience.

Statistically, people who have experienced problems are much more likely to post them than those for whom everything went well.
As I also frequent forums dedicated to travel on European websites and I have noticed that American citizens are much more stressed and worried about what could happen while traveling than Europeans. In a way it's a good thing because it encourages them to ask for more information. The problem is that in this information there will always be someone to say "I experienced that, it was terrible! "